Elephant Motifs on Indian Coins and its Significance

Abstract

Significance of Elephants and their Motif: Elephant is regarded as the mount of Kings in India. It is a devastating weapon of war and could be symbolised as God of warriors. It is also a sign of wealth and power and denotes royalty, inner strength and nobility. On coins it’s depicted in war scenes and to show royal extravaganza. The elephant has been presented as raining clouds, Vahana or vehicle of Indra, fertility of crops, the conception of womanhood, the sign of fecundation of mother goddess and her Vahana, the guardian of quarters, the symbol of the Sun, the Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira. The elephant motif makes consistent appearance on Indian coins and has religious and political importance. The paper will look into the elephant symbolism or motif on Indian coins and journey of its appearance in different context. It will further discuss usage of motif from northern part of Indian subcontinent to southern part. The period will cover specific dynasties and period that prominently used this symbolism from Indus valley seals to modern Indian government coinage.